Three major types of land use in Huanuco (central province in Peru) are discussed on the basis of cartographical and socioeconomical data, document reviews, and field surveys. This traditional agricultural region has critical importance for being the gateway for timber transportation from the eastern mountainous tropical forests where also extensive coca plantations forced human emigration, land abandonment, and deforestation. In Peru, ancient agricultural systems still coexist with the intensification of commerce. Property types, rates of land use changes, as well as the use of and the number of farms, are discussed. The type of land use varies periodically among each district within the province. State policies not fully structured indicate a weak understanding of the real needs of the Andean society. From now on they must combine elements of tradition, central planning, and markets.

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A vegetation similarity index (VSI), developed to describe the similarity of nearby vegetation conditions to each forest patch (i), is presented as a new method for visualizing landscape heterogeneity. All forested patches within a certain distance (M) of each patch i are examined, and a value is developed to describe the similarity. These values are then weighted by an inverse distance method, and aggregated to produce a single value for each patch i. The distance M examined can vary, and visual representations can be subsequently developed to assist biologists, planners, and policy makers in their understanding of vegetation similarity as viewed by various animal species. The VSI assesses the spatial configuration of vegetation conditions, and although it does not measure habitat loss due to particular natural or human-caused disturbances, it provides a new perspective on landscape vegetation similarity.

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Root biomass can represent a significant proportion of the total ecosystem biomass, although the difficulty in extracting the roots is often a limiting factor when estimating the belowground biomass. The objective of this study is to create equations to estimate the root variables from other tree variables for mizunara oak (Quercus crispula BLUME) in broad-leaved secondary forests. First, experimental plots were established in secondary forests dominated by mizunara oak and sample oak trees were felled just outside the plots. The biomass of each tree organ was measured and other root variables such as root length, area and volume were also measured. Then, allocation of the four root variables by root diameter classes was described. Regression equations by power function were created between the four root variables and root diameter to estimate the missing root parts by root diameter classes and for the total root system. Root variables for missing parts were estimated from the diameter of broken root ends with regression equations between the four root variables and root diameter for total root system. Finally, allometric regressions between root variables and other tree variables were analyzed both by root diameter classes and for the total root system. Diameter at beast height (DBH) proved to be a good predictor of root variables for different root classes and for the total root system. Diameter at stump height (DSH) can be a useful estimator if branching starts at DBH as it also shows high correlation with root systems.

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This paper reviews functions undertaken in marketing of forest products (poles, posts, timber, firewood and charcoal), policy challenges arising and possible solutions to the problems. The focus is on Kakamega forest found in western Kenya, the activities of the forest adjacent dwellers, and how their activities relate to the current forest law and policy. The approach taken involves looking at individual functions namely; acquisition, or buying, selling, storage, transportation, processing, standardization, financing, risk bearing, and market intelligence. It was realized that each function reveals specific policy challenge(s) and this could be arising due to lack of specific laws on marketing functions in the current law and policy. In addition, negative impacts which include loss of revenue, conflicts, high enforcement cost, and distortion of forest products markets and over extraction are also noted. Mixes of policy options are necessary to overcome the challenges. A review of the current law and policy is necessary if the forest has to continue providing services now and for posterity. Forest policy formulators should move towards creating laws and policies that address specific issues in marketing.

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